Subscribe
Close
  • Free for qualified executives and consultants to industry

  • Receive quarterly issues of Area Development Magazine and special market report and directory issues

Renew

General Electric: Global Innovation Barometer

In its inaugural Global Innovation Barometer, General Electric (GE) ranks nations based on innovative competitiveness, with the United States placing first.

1/28/2011
In its inaugural Global Innovation Barometer survey and report, GE names the 10 countries with the most innovative business environments. The United States took top honors.

GE's Top 10
• United States
• Germany
• Japan
• China
• Korea
• India
• Sweden
• United Kingdom
• Israel
• France

GE surveyed 1,000 executives across 12 countries to analyze what drives - and deters - innovation, and to examine perceptions of innovation challenges around the world.

"This study illustrates that the rules around innovation are changing, and that companies like ours will need to evolve our strategy in order to stay competitive, drive growth, and contribute meaningfully to the economy," said Beth Comstock, chief marketing officer and senior vice president, GE. "For innovation to flourish, we must embrace a new innovation paradigm that promotes collaboration between all players - big, small, public, and private - fosters creativity, and emphasizes solutions that meet local needs."

Ninety-five percent of respondents said innovation was the primary method for improving national economic competitiveness. Eighty-eight percent said innovation was the best way to create jobs in their countries.

How nations and private businesses innovate is changing. Emphasis is shifting towards individuals and small- to mid-sized enterprises. This change renews the need for cooperation and collaboration. Three-quarters of respondents said how they innovate in the 21st century will be "totally different" than how they have innovated in the past.

Exclusive Research